Crystal Lake Hatchery is located on Baum Lake, near Cassel, in eastern Shasta County. The installation was built in 1947-48 on 40 acres of land owned by P.G.& E. it was the first major project financed by Wildlife Conservation Board Funds. The hatchery consisted of 28 dirt ponds, 6 residences, a utility building, garage, shop and office.

The Hatchery was modernized in 1976 and today has 66 concrete rearing ponds that annually raise 1,500,000 fish weighing approximately 500,000 pounds. The Hatchery has 2 water supplies with Rock Creek producing 18-23 cubic feet per second, and Crystal Lake having 50 cubic feet per second available, but only using 6-8 cubic feet per second. The Hatchery produces various species of trout including Rainbow, Eagle Lake, Brown, and Brook. In addition, Crystal Lake has a Broodstock Program and is also responsible for the Eagle Lake spawning program at Pine Creek. The eggs taken at Pine Creek Trap are raised at both Crystal Lake and Darrah Springs Hatcheries for return into Eagle Lake and various other waters.